Today's News

Galax closed out 2009 with a couple of close matches against nondistrict opposition, dropping a one-point decision to Abingdon while edging Alleghany, N.C. by eight points. The Maroon Tide gave up 12 points in forfeit losses and lost a possible 12 more points on double forfeits in falling to Abingdon 35-34.

MAX MEADOWS -- In a win over Floyd County two weeks ago, Grayson County rallied from 12 points down before pulling away to a 12-point win. Monday, the Blue Devils dispensed with the rallying and went right to the pulling away part.

MAX MEADOWS -- It doesn’t count in the Mountain Empire District standings, but Grayson County will head into its district schedule with a boost of confidence after demolishing Fort Chiswell by 40 points on the Pioneers’ home floor Wednesday in the third-place game of the BB&T Christmas Tournament. Bubba Bowen scored off the opening tip just three seconds into the game, and the Blue Devils ran out to a 24-14 lead after the first quarter.

Crime is like most problems, new U.S. Attorney Tim Heaphy figures: It's more efficient to head it off than to pick up the pieces afterward.

Stitch in time, limited federal dollars being put to their best use, that sort of thing.

The question facing the former University of Virginia law professor is how to translate such widely accepted sentiments into the day-to-day workings of his office, where deterrence is more often described in terms of imposing harsh punishment on wrongdoers in order to scare off any who might copy their misdeeds.

INDEPENDENCE — Grayson County and its public school system are on opposite ends of the spectrum when it comes to expectations for total cost of Phase I of the school system's long-range facilities update — but in the end, the bill will have to be paid.

On the heels of budget adjustments to all constitutional officers in Grayson, supervisors held a special called meeting last week to express total cost expectations for Phase I of the school system's long-range facilities improvement plan.